What Brooklyn row houses offer in space, they often lack in light. But when a couple with two young children found a property in the borough's Windsor Terrace neighborhood, they imagined that a renovation would allow them to have both. The pair hired local firm Barker Freeman Design Office Architects with this goal in mind, and asked for the impending changes to take advantage of the fact that the home was only attached to neighboring buildings on one side. "They were interested in large expanses of glass, using natural materials such as wood and cement tile," said principal Alexandra Barker. While an existing front extension needed to be maintained, the rest of the site was fair game. So, the team started transforming the exterior with two-tone cedar paneling and new windows, while creating a covered porch and mudroom in that standing entryway. Then, they expanded the kitchen and added a bedroom above it. Natural sunlight was now streaming through the structure, but the interior finishes took it a step further. White and soft gray shades heighten the effect of the rays from the floor-to-ceiling glass that connects the back porch to the kitchen, and colorful tiles lets the brightness feel even more cheerful. The peaceful surroundings make the modern space feel welcoming and kid-friendly, which is exactly what this couple envisioned when the alterations began.
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